AD/ML-M4/10 - Fuel Return Lines - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B11279, specifically address the safety of Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument was enacted to rectify a safety concern identified in the fuel return lines of certain models of Maule M-4 aeroplanes. The problem it aims to address includes the potential for fuel line leakage and cracking, which could compromise the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and the relevant legislature is the Parliament. The policy objective is to ensure that the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models is maintained by requiring inspections and modifications to the fuel return lines, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failures. The Airworthiness Directives outlined in the legislative instrument mandate specific actions to be undertaken on Maule M-4-210 and M-4-210C series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers within the specified ranges. These directives require the inspection of line P/No. 5182X-21 for leakage and cracking, the replacement of line P/No. 5182X-20, and compliance with either Maule SL No. 31 or FAA AD 75-11-02. The compliance period is set within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 28 November 1975. This ensures that the safety measures are implemented in a timely manner to prevent potential hazards associated with the identified issue.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Maule M-4 Series aeroplanes, more precisely to Model M-4-210 with serial numbers ranging from 1001 to 1045 and Model M-4-210C with serial numbers from 1001C to 1117C. This legislation is enacted under the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby having national jurisdictional reach. The Act mandates the inspection and, if necessary, modification of fuel return lines to ensure compliance with airworthiness directives. The specific requirement is to inspect line part number 5182X-21 for leakage and cracking, replace line part number 5182X-20 as per Maule Service Letter No. 31 or an approved scheme, or adhere to FAA AD 75-11-02. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 28 November 1975. There are no exclusions or exemptions explicitly stated within the text of this directive. The application of this Act can be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments issued by the relevant authorities.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the AD/ML-M4/10 address specific safety requirements for Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers within specified ranges. Section 1 mandates that all Model M-4-210 aeroplanes with serial numbers between 1001 and 1045, and Model M-4-210C aeroplanes with serial numbers between 1001C and 1117C, must undergo an inspection of line P/No. 5182X-21 for any signs of leakage or cracking, in accordance with Maule SL No. 31. Furthermore, line P/No. 5182X-20 must either be replaced following the guidelines in Maule SL No. 31 or according to an alternative scheme approved by the Secretary, or the requirements outlined in FAA AD 75-11-02 must be adhered to. These actions are required to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 28 November 1975. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the required inspections and modifications are conducted within the specified timeframe. This includes verifying that the inspections are carried out by qualified personnel and that any necessary replacements are performed in accordance with the outlined procedures or an approved alternative. The responsibility also extends to maintaining accurate records of the inspections and modifications to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. Failure to comply with the AD/ML-M4/10 can result in serious legal consequences. Under civil aviation regulations, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, which could include fines, penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties can depend on the extent of the non-compliance and whether it contributed to any aviation safety issues. The specific civil or criminal consequences would be determined based on the particular circumstances and the discretion of the relevant authorities.